Steroid secretion by a virilizing lipoid cell ovarian tumor: origins of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
Shenker, Y.; Malozowski, S.N.; Ayers, J.; Grekin, R.J.; Barkan, A.L.
Obstetrics and Gynecology 74(3 Pt 2): 502-506
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-7844 PMID: 2527348 Document Number: 334209
A 78-year-old woman had a 3-year history of severe virilization caused by a lipoid cell ovarian tumor localized by pelvic ultrasound examination and NP-59 scan. Steroid secretion was evaluated by the following: 1) peripheral plasma levels before and after hormonal stimulation with ACTH or hCG, 2) venous catheterization and measurement of steroid levels in the left and right ovarian veins during surgery, 3) measurements of enzymatic activities in the tumor tissue compared with those in normal ovarian tissue, and 4) steroid secretion studies in vitro of the tumor tissue, surrounding tissue, and contralateral ovarian tissue. The tumor tissue secreted both .DELTA.5 and .DELTA.4 androgens, including dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was also secreted by the surrounding and contralateral ovarian tissue.